Al D’Amato’s future ex-wife arrested for beefing with neighbor
The soon-to-be ex-wife of former Senator Al D’Amato was arrested on Long Island Friday morning – the second time in more than four weeks – for allegedly flipping off her neighbor who has a restraining order against her, police said.
Katuria D’Amato, 52, who’s currently embroiled in a nasty divorce with the 81-year-old, allegedly got into the neighbor dispute on July 31 around 3:30 p.m., police said.
The neighbor – identified in court papers as Catherine Cash — has a restraining order against D’Amato and the tiff was in violation of that order, cops said.
D’Amato “did make obscene gestures and curse[d] at the complainant while the complainant was inside of her house,” according to a criminal complaint filed with the Nassau District Attorney’s Office said.
In a deposition by Cash she stated that when she returned to her Buxton Street home in Lido Beach after picking up her daughter she saw D’Amato out of her front window “pacing in the street and talking to herself.”
“I thought this was odd behavior,” Cash wrote. “I then continued to watch her from the South facing window in my living room where she was in her driveway looking directly at me making obscene gestures, such as giving me the middle finger and what appeared to be sign language, and cursing at me.”
Cash stated that D’Amato was in violation of an order of protection, which went into effect on July 16 and applies to her husband, James, and their son.
D’Amato turned herself in and was charged with misdemeanor criminal contempt.
At her arraignment Friday, she was released without bail by Judge Elizabeth Fox-McDonough.
Outside of the Nassau County District Courthouse, D’Amato put blame on her estranged husband who she claimed is a “great friend” of high-ranking officials at the Nassau County Police Department.
“My husband told me himself [the cops] called him last time they [her neighbors] played this game,” said D’Amato, who called her husband, “a corrupted bully.”
“I’ve seen him bully judges. I’ve seen him bully the cops. I’ve seen him bully everyone,” she said, adding, “He bullies my children. He bullies me. He bullies whoever he wants to bully and no one seems to stop him.”
She also claimed that the Cash’s “are constantly harassing” her by taking pictures and videos of her and anyone that enters her home.
She says the beef started in 2014 after her husband moved out.
The order of protection against D’Amato stems from a June 25 harassment incident, police said.
According to a criminal complaint, she allegedly “berated” James Cash that day outside their homes, saying “get the f—k out of here,” “get away from my home, you’re a pedophile,” “f—k you,” and “get off my sidewalk,” as the man walked past D’Amato’s house with his son.
The court document states that D’Amato then got in James’ face.
“The complainant advised the defendant to get away from him and that he’s fearful of her,” the document says. “The defendant then chest bump complainant making physical contact with him causing him alarm and annoyance.”
She was given a desk appearance ticket for the incident.
She claimed Friday that during the June episode, James said to her son, “sorry you have such a horrible mom.”
D’Amato’s lawyer Thomas Liotti said: “She’s got some wacky neighbors here that we’re dealing with,” adding that he filed suit on his client’s behalf against the Cash’s seeking $5 million in damages.
“Another false arrest that’s based upon Senator D’Amato and the Nassau County Police Department. I’ve also filed notices of claims against them and the neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Cash,” Liotti said.
Liotti called his client’s arrest “all nonsense” and “a complete hoax.”
“Senator D’Amato is using this to try and gain some kind of tactical advantage, financial or otherwise, with respect to custody and the matrimonial case that’s pending in Nassau County,” the attorney said.
When asked to comment Friday, Al D’Amato told The Post: “My only concern is for the welfare of my children.”
This isn’t the first time his wife’s mouth has gotten her into trouble. She was kicked off a flight in 2017 for allegedly arguing with a crew member.
She is due back in court Sept. 7.
Additional reporting by Carl Campanile
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